When you are buying a home in Akron, you deserve a real loan officer on the phone, not a call center three states away.
Answer a few quick questions to get a personalized starting home price range.
No credit pull. No obligation. No calls unless you ask for one.
Takes about 3 minutes. Not a loan application or commitment to lend.
Akron stretches across Summit County and includes neighborhoods with very different price points and property types. Whether you are looking at a historic two-story in Highland Square, a newer build in Fairlawn, a starter home in Ellet, or a condo near the University of Akron, the loan that fits your purchase depends on the specifics of that property and your financial picture. Local knowledge matters when an appraiser is assigned, when a seller reviews your offer, and when the title company schedules closing.
Buyers in the Akron area often ask about FHA loans. An FHA loan is a mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Administration, a government agency, which allows lower down payment options and more flexible credit guidelines than many conventional loans. FHA loans also carry a mortgage insurance premium (MIP), a fee on FHA loans that protects the lender, which is worth factoring into your total monthly cost. If you have not purchased before, down payment assistance (DPA), help covering the cash needed to close, may also be available through Ohio state programs. Our loan officers can walk you through what you may qualify for based on your income and the county you are buying in.
Akron properties range from multi-family homes on the north side to suburban houses in the Copley and Green areas just outside city limits. Appraisals in this market can vary street by street, and a loan officer who understands Summit County comparables can set accurate expectations before you are under contract. Intra-Mortgage is a mortgage lender and broker, which means we work across multiple loan channels to find a path that fits your situation, rather than limiting you to a single product shelf.
We're not a lead-generation site that sells your information. We're a licensed mortgage team, and we're here in Ohio.
You work with a licensed mortgage team and a loan officer who knows this market, not a national portal that sells your information to the highest bidder.
We know Akron's neighborhoods, appraisers, title companies, and county quirks, because we close here every week.
You get one loan officer with a direct line, not a 1-800 number and a different rep every time you call.
Licensed across OH, IN, PA, TX and more. Moving out of state later? We can likely still be your lender.
Not sure which fits? See what you may qualify for above, or read the full guide on any option below.
As little as 3.5% down with a 580 credit score. The most flexible path for first-time and credit-building buyers.
FHA in Akron3–5% down for strong-credit buyers. Mortgage insurance drops at 20% equity — the long-term cost winner.
Conventional guideZero down, no monthly mortgage insurance, for eligible veterans and active-duty service members.
VA loan benefitsLower your rate, shorten your term, or tap equity. We'll run the break-even math honestly.
Refinance optionsDown payment assistance, education, and step-by-step guidance built for people buying their first home.
First-time buyer guideCompare FHA vs. Conventional side by side, or talk to a loan officer who'll run both on your actual numbers.
Compare loan typesOhio buyers can often stack state, county, and city assistance on top of an FHA or conventional loan to cover part, sometimes all, of the down payment. What you qualify for depends on your income, the home, and the program.
No credit pull to start, we'll check your assistance eligibility with you.
We close loans across the entire Greater Akron metro, city neighborhoods, suburbs, and the core counties we serve.
A clear four-step path, with a real person guiding you at each stage.
Answer a few questions, no credit pull, no obligation. We'll tell you what you can realistically afford in Akron.
~60 secondsA full application and verified pre-approval letter, the kind Akron sellers take seriously in a multiple-offer situation.
1–2 daysYour file goes through full underwriting, appraisal, title, and conditions handled by a team you can actually reach.
2–3 weeksSign, fund, and get your keys. We coordinate with your title company to keep closing day smooth.
Day of closeJoe Heister and Katie Smith are outstanding to work with. Joe is professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about his clients — he goes above and beyond to make sure everything goes smoothly from start to finish.
I'm a real estate agent and have known Joe Heister for over 15 years. I have always respected him as a lender with integrity who consistently puts his client's interests first.
As a first-time homebuyer, I had so many questions about the mortgage process, but Katie made everything so much easier. From the beginning she took the time to explain every step and answered all my questions patiently.
I recently refinanced with loan officer Mitra Dhital, and he was very helpful and professional throughout the process. He explained everything clearly and made the experience smooth and stress-free.
Thank you to Keshabi Acharya for making our home buying experience so smooth and stress free. She was very quick to respond and very knowledgeable on the topic of loans.
I worked with Joe Heister and Katie Smith and the process was seamless. Professional, organized, and low rates. Highly recommend.
Credit score requirements vary by loan type. FHA loans generally allow lower scores than conventional loans, though lenders may set their own minimum standards on top of program guidelines. A higher score typically improves your options. If your score needs work before you apply, our loan officers can review your report with you and suggest concrete steps to improve it before you start shopping.
Most purchases close in roughly 30 to 45 days from a signed contract, though that window depends on the loan type, appraisal scheduling, and how quickly paperwork is returned. Summit County title companies and appraisers are generally familiar with local transaction timelines. Getting pre-approved before you make an offer is the best way to avoid delays once you are under contract.
FHA can be a strong choice for buyers who have limited savings for a down payment or are rebuilding their credit history. It is a government-backed loan program with more flexible qualifying guidelines. The trade-off is the mortgage insurance premium (MIP) added to the loan. Whether FHA makes sense for you depends on your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), how much of your monthly income goes to debt, and your longer-term goals.
Down payment assistance (DPA) refers to programs, often run by state or local agencies, that provide grants or secondary loans to help cover the cash you need at closing. Ohio has several active DPA programs that may be available to buyers in Summit County and the Akron area. Eligibility typically depends on income limits, purchase price, and whether you are a first-time buyer. Our loan officers can help you identify which programs align with your situation.
Yes. We serve buyers throughout the Akron metro area, including Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Barberton, Tallmadge, Green, and Copley, as well as buyers looking in the city itself. Whether you are buying your first home or have purchased before, you will work with a real loan officer who is familiar with the market, not an automated system routing your file to a distant processing center.
A mortgage lender funds loans directly. A mortgage broker works with multiple wholesale lenders to find a loan product that fits a borrower's needs. Intra-Mortgage operates as both, depending on the loan type. That flexibility can work in your favor, because it means we are not locked into a single set of products. Either way, you work with a licensed team throughout your entire transaction.
Ohio first time home buyer income limits vary by county and household size. Learn how OHFA sets limits and where to confirm current figures.
Read articleLearn who qualifies for Ohio's $5,000 first-time homebuyer grant, including income limits, credit requirements, and how to apply through an approved lender.
Read articleLearn the key requirements for getting an FHA loan in Ohio, including credit score minimums, down payment rules, and property standards.
Read articleIn-depth guides on loan programs, limits, and buyer assistance across Ohio.
See what you qualify for in about a minute, or talk to a loan officer who actually knows the Greater Akron market.